STEPHEN FANG

STEPHEN FANG was the Associate Principal Cellist of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra from 2007 to 2017. While at the NJSO, he performed with his orchestra, in smaller ensembles, and as a soloist in concert halls and numerous other venues across New Jersey and New York City. He also appeared twice as a featured soloist in concerts with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra. In addition to his performing career in New Jersey, he was also committed to education, maintaining a small private studio, giving coachings and masterclasses, and performing in schools and libraries throughout the state. He was the cello coach for the NJSO Academy Youth Orchestra, where he offered training and guidance to a group of high school and middle school students every week. He also coached sectionals for the Princeton University Orchestra, New Jersey City University Orchestra, NJ Youth Symphony, and Youth Orchestras of Essex County.

As a chamber musician he won the Grand Prize at the 30th Annual Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and First Prize at the 56th and 59th Annual Coleman Chamber Ensemble Competitions. His quartets were featured in the Fischoff Grand Prize Winners Tour, the Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Recital Series, the Cleveland Chamber Music Society Series, and the Cleveland Chamber Music Guild Series.

Stephen studied with preeminent professors and Principal Cellists of major orchestras including Carter Brey (Principal Cellist of the New York Philharmonic), Richard Aaron (Professor at Juilliard and the University of Michigan), Desmond Hoebig (former Principal Cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra), Stephen Geber (former Principal Cellist of the Cleveland Orchestra), and Eric Kim (former Principal Cellist of the Cincinatti Symphony).

He earned his Bachelor and Graduate Degrees at the Cleveland Institute of Music where he was the winner of the Ellis A. Feiman Memorial Award for Achievement in Cello and the Dr. Bennett Levine Memorial Award for Achievement in Chamber Music. His cello, which is named Bessie, was made in 2007 by Michèle Ashley.

Stephen now lives in Minneapolis, where he is focusing his time on raising his daughter, Ellia.